Interview with Award-winning Actress Genevieve Lemon 2020

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2020 is the year of hiding under the doona and behind a mask. It's the year that everyone wants to cancel… but could this be the year that we learn to turn lamentation into laughter?

Yes, it's been scary, painful, mournful, frustrating - a year where there's not been much to laugh about. But laugh we must, because it draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional responses, and lightens burdens, inspires hope, connects us, keeps us grounded, focused and alert. Laughter is also fun, free and easy to use!

Award-winning actress Genevieve Lemon (The Piano, Billy Elliott, The Dressmaker, Ladies in Black, Prisoner, Neighbours, Home and Away, Top of the Lake, Rake, Frayed) is no stranger to the benefits of a good belly laugh and has taken time out of her busy day to chat about the pandemic, people's response and what we can expect from her upcoming live-streamed performance in Welcome to the Masque.

It's been so long since we've been to the theatre. What should we wear? Elastic mask, tailored mask, sequinned mask, other…?

Well, here at The Riverside we as a group have decided you can't be too careful: we recommend Full Body PPE, Hazmat Suits or at the very least, those painters' overalls you get from Bunnings. Otherwise a sturdy full-face mask from Halloween with your Acme Chemist jobbie underneath, but don't forget your patented Straw-hole for your cocktails. And SOCIAL DISTANCE, for goodness' sake, even if you're streaming live in your lounge room with Nanna and the cats.

Should we wear lipstick under our mask?

Naturally, we're not animals.

How do you think celebrities are coping with wearing a mask (e.g. identity crises, new-found freedom from the paps, botox break to allow smile and laughter lines around their eyes)?

I think celebrities have all moved to Podcasts, haven't they? In which case it's all about the jammies.

Laughter in lockdown is the medicine we all need right now. How will Welcome to the Masque ease the symptoms of lockdown and how is it administered? Please also advise whether there could be any adverse side effects from drinking alcohol while taking in the performance.

Well, the adverse effects of alcohol will be evident if we go beyond the scheduled one-hour performance schedule (Hint: We Won't, but try and keep yourselves nice at home, will you?).

Is there a serious side to Welcome to the Masque?

See the previous answer: People have been overdoing EVERYTHING during the lockdown, from alcohol to sourdough home-baking experimentation. We here at Riverside recommend everything in moderation, including moderation.

If you could be a masked superhero, who would you be (aside from yourself!) and why?

I would be Fatgirl, wait, is this Predictive Text playing tricks on me? I mean Fatgirl. Holy Creeping Cabaret, Batman, I MEAN FATGIRL!!!

Anything else you'd like to tell us about Welcome to the Masque?

Look, it's just a gentle hour of Sunday afternoon entertainment...Today Parramatta, tomorrow THE WORLD!!! Tune in for some lockdown nonsense and some classic cabaret tunes.

Join Genevieve and composer Max Lambert (Hot Shoe Shuffle, The Boy from Oz, Miracle City, Darlinghurst Nights, Happy Feet, The Last Days of Chez Nous, Hairspray, Fame, Strictly Ballroom-the Musical) for a night of laughter, musing and song. Genevieve will share her thoughts on the big lockdown questions: Am I any good? Am I happy with my lot? Does my bum look big in this (mask)? Her musings will be sprinkled with songs from Joni Mitchell, Carole King and more.

Welcome to the Masque will stream live to our loungerooms in a one-show only performance from Riverside Theatres in Parramatta.